View Full Version : Side or front mount?
blackturbo
15-08-2006, 10:04
Is there any benefit to buying a new alloy side mount intercooler or just go the whole hog for a front mount?
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 10:07
FMIC!!!
Cheaper than upgrading SMIC if you go Laguna ;)
Like SOO many others, I have joined the clan...its fantastic, do a search...
I know someone that will supply and fit one for £350... ;)
Mike
acidstrato
15-08-2006, 10:17
its not really worth it for the improvement over standard as it wont be much
go for the laguna if ya on a budget
i want a forge for looks aswell as performance
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 10:29
Heres mine with Laguna....just as an idea...
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3833/ibizafmicdonnyjd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Mike
blackturbo
15-08-2006, 10:31
My car already looks like I have an FMIC bcoz I have a new condensor lol!
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 10:33
Well mine cost me £130, not £700....
Are looks really worth another £570?? When the Laguna doesn't look out of place...
Just an idea...
Mike
blackturbo
15-08-2006, 10:51
At the end of the day im just thinking about investing once I have my remap, and I completely agree, I dont think I would pay £500+ for form over function
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 10:57
7 hours to fit, with a little help, but like I said, I know someone that will happily supply all req'd parts and fit for circa £350...
350/7 = £50 an hour labor and you get the parts free haha
Mike
7 hours to fit, with a little help, but like I said, I know someone that will happily supply all req'd parts and fit for circa £350...
350/7 = £50 an hour labor and you get the parts free haha
Mike
When is he free? ;)
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 11:15
I'll speak to him and let you know... ;)
Mike
seli_babe
15-08-2006, 11:15
At the end of the day im just thinking about investing once I have my remap, and I completely agree, I dont think I would pay £500+ for form over function
If you're only getting Stage 1 (revo for example) you wouldn't need to upgrade it.. only if you go stage 2.. I dunno about the other re-maps tho..
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 11:17
I used to think that, but with the FMIC on, its so much better, the Cupra's should of come with them or similar as standard IMHO!!
Mike
flashbsd
15-08-2006, 11:40
Laguna FMIC is the way forward if your not wanting to spend mega bucks!
Theres no difference in air flow, temps , it just looks OE when the mesh is in.
Wouldnt bother with a SMIC, you will laugh whenyou see the difference in size between the Laguna FMIC and the SMIC.
If i knew how good a frount mount was going to be, id have got one before my first remap, but i did before my second remap cos i knew how poor aggressive maps are with the SMIC. :)
YOu will always find somebody that says a bad thing about the Laguna conversion, but its either ebcause they have an expensive one and dont want people "out doing them" with a cheaper unit, or because they are stuck in their ways.
Sam, Nick and Me have all done it before the main laguna post, and all swear by them :)
high on dirt
15-08-2006, 11:55
flashbsd did i see you at vagtech yesterday? Mine was the blue Ibiza cupra? Yours was looking nice and shinny!
Nick
flashbsd
15-08-2006, 11:59
you sure did! Cambelty had just been changed by Greig :D Its obnly just started running right after 2 years of problems!
They washed it for me! hadnt done it in months! ;)
Yours was looking mint also matey!
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 12:03
We should have a Vagtech Customers meet, do a photo for the chaps up their.. ;)
Mike
acidstrato
15-08-2006, 12:07
re: is it worth the extra money for the looks then imo yes it is...this is my opinion and nobody can change it...but i think the laguna item looks absolute shite, its overboard, it looks like a bodge...as said thats my own opinion of it
now the forge model looks oem, just the right size and theres just something about it that appeals to me alot more than the laguna intercooler does.add that to the fact that it comes with monumental customer service and so if anything at all went wrong with it I know the forge guys would sort it out no question as per their previous service
and then theres the fact I've had enough trips to forge before and bought enough products from them that I'm more than happy to pay it.. not just because of their service but alsoI feel loyal to them and I am happy to have the forge logo under my bonnet and when the time comes (hopefully in the next few weeks as Im lining up a new job now) I'll be on website to place the order
high on dirt
15-08-2006, 12:09
GREAT IDEA MIKE!
im a graphic designer and can print in house at A0 width!
why thank you i was just looking at my new exhaust miltek with down pipe and high flow cat!
Got problems with my boast bouncing everywhere so Jon has let me try a few different N75 valves.
There great lads!
I think my cambelt will also need doing! I seem to go in there with a big list for them everytime!
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 12:11
re: is it worth the extra money for the looks then imo yes it is...this is my opinion and nobody can change it...but i think the laguna item looks absolute shite, its overboard, it looks like a bodge...as said thats my own opinion of it
now the forge model looks oem, just the right size and theres just something about it that appeals to me alot more than the laguna intercooler does.add that to the fact that it comes with monumental customer service and so if anything at all went wrong with it I know the forge guys would sort it out no question as per their previous service
and then theres the fact I've had enough trips to forge before and bought enough products from them that I'm more than happy to pay it.. not just because of their service but alsoI feel loyal to them and I am happy to have the forge logo under my bonnet and when the time comes (hopefully in the next few weeks as Im lining up a new job now) I'll be on website to place the order
Couldn't agree more with having your own opinion... :)
Mike
flashbsd
15-08-2006, 12:13
re: is it worth the extra money for the looks then imo yes it is...this is my opinion and nobody can change it...but i think the laguna item looks absolute shite, its overboard, it looks like a bodge...as said thats my own opinion of it
now the forge model looks oem, just the right size and theres just something about it that appeals to me alot more than the laguna intercooler does.add that to the fact that it comes with monumental customer service and so if anything at all went wrong with it I know the forge guys would sort it out no question as per their previous service
and then theres the fact I've had enough trips to forge before and bought enough products from them that I'm more than happy to pay it.. not just because of their service but alsoI feel loyal to them and I am happy to have the forge logo under my bonnet and when the time comes (hopefully in the next few weeks as Im lining up a new job now) I'll be on website to place the order
Thats fine to have your own opinion mate,
with the extra money i saved i got a new custom remap for the k03s and a full tank of petrol :) what i wanted to do :)
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 12:16
Its all down to ££££ and personal preference, just the same as wild bodykits and lexus lights... neither is right or wrong across the board, its peoples opinions...
Mike
jonesya3
15-08-2006, 12:19
i might go down the laguna intercooler route this month if i can afford it where did you get yours from and how much did it cost ? seen the ones on ebay but just wondering if i could get one for less than £120 :)
daveb2505
15-08-2006, 22:50
Hi, which laguna model intrcooler is it your using?
did you buy it new or 2nd hand. cheers
Molehill_Mike
15-08-2006, 22:54
Seem to remember it being off the 1.9CDTi??
Please email or PM with questions regarding fitting etc etc...
Thanks,
Mike
re: is it worth the extra money for the looks then imo yes it is...this is my opinion and nobody can change it...but i think the laguna item looks absolute shite, its overboard, it looks like a bodge...as said thats my own opinion of it
now the forge model looks oem, just the right size and theres just something about it that appeals to me alot more than the laguna intercooler does.add that to the fact that it comes with monumental customer service and so if anything at all went wrong with it I know the forge guys would sort it out no question as per their previous service
and then theres the fact I've had enough trips to forge before and bought enough products from them that I'm more than happy to pay it.. not just because of their service but alsoI feel loyal to them and I am happy to have the forge logo under my bonnet and when the time comes (hopefully in the next few weeks as Im lining up a new job now) I'll be on website to place the order
dont think that mine looks "absolute shite" or a bodge job at all in fact i think it looks far more oem than forge but as you as you say thats just my opinion
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/karl5155/DSC_0145.jpg
Karl.w, yours if the only one i've seen that sits right, everyone elses is off to the left and looks weird.
For me Forge wins every time. Mine has been on a year and the mount snapped (early ones had different mounts to what they are like now) one call to forge and a new FMIC was delivered the next day FOC. Cant see Renault doing that.
I'd like to see some logs of it as well from someone with Stage 2 Revo so i can compare.
Karls is painted to look central..
I have to say as a cheap option you can't turn your nose up at the leguna intercooler. But i'm a perfectionist, if i had something off centre it would annoy the hell out of me.
I've not put off the possibility of using another slightly smaller intercooler, but i'm more swayed towards a forge setup. Something that just fits :)
mine sit the same as all the rest of them just looks like it in the middle
all i done was spray paint the end tank on one side and about 3" of the other side just what can be seen with matt black paint.
to notice it you would need to be on your hands and knees.
im happy with it it does just what i wanted it to do and was within my budget
ForgeMotorsport
16-08-2006, 07:02
Forge FMIC is a 3 hour fit , even with a lack of proper tools
Molehill_Mike
16-08-2006, 08:38
I may look at spraying mine up to hide it a bit more, but you cant see it in your face either, I do not doubt the FORGE FMIC works a treat, I have never stated that at all, this is just a cheaper DIY option..
I have REVO Stage 2, will do some logs at the weekend with Flash.
Mike
acidstrato
16-08-2006, 08:49
there is nothing really wrong with u fellas using the laguna (or anything else) if thats what you want to, at the end of the day as u fellas have pointed out before its far cheaper than anything else worth doing. however i reckon if the forge had been priced at 300-400 too everyone would have gone the same route, even flash and i know how much he hates the bandwagons..
personal choice overal innit,hell i recomended the laguna in my original post but myself i wouldnt touch it with a barge poll
peace :)
Your right if the forge one was £300-£400 i would of bought as im sure its a great piece of kit .
But its not £300-400 so thats why if went the laguna route.
My fmic cost me £130 all in and i doute very much that the Forge one would of got me much more performance if any at all. Especially as i drive a road car and not a track/race car.
As for forge having great customer service and replacing anything that goes wrong with it. If i had paid £700+ for an intercooler i would expect nothing to go wrong with it ever
Molehill_Mike
16-08-2006, 10:05
If Forge was more affordable I would of gone down that route for sure....
Peace :smoke: